VIDEO: World Series rings recovered
Sept. 3, 2009 - Janitor charged in Phillies ring theft
It happened around 5:00 p.m., while Game 2 of the NLDS was still underway.
Police say the suspect, 21-year-old Matt Mervine, was ejected from the game for 'unruly behavior.' He was wearing a mask labeled "Rockies Killer."
Instead of leaving, investigators say, he went to a Phillies office to fill out a job application. Video surveillance showed him leaving with a manilla envelope that was on the reception desk.
"He grabs the envelope, puts it in his right hand,which he puts at his side. He makes the turn to walk out the door, " said Capt. Laurence Nodiff of the Philadelphia Police.
Mervine may have thought he hit the jackpot, leaving with three World Series rings. However, they were not the $11,000 rings given to the players, but $1,100 rings intended for three Phillies' employees.
Police were able to track down Mervine quickly because he left his job application behind, complete with his name, address and phone number. He was arrested at his home in Berlin, New Jersey.
Mervine is no stranger to law enforcement. He had been arrested before on narcotics and carjacking charges. He will now face theft charges in Philadelphia.
This isn't the first time a stolen World Series ring has made the news. In late August, police say janitor Anthony Mobley, 54, from Yeadon, Pa. stole a World Series ring that was left in a bathroom by a Phillies executive. He was arrested a few days later.
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